Doreen Toth

February 7, 1936 – December 20, 2024

Unexpectedly on December 20, 2024, our beloved, beautiful Mom, Doreen Catherine Toth (Fisher), left us to celebrate a heavenly Christmas with our dad, Albert Frank Toth, the love of her life, who passed away on January 5, 2022. She peacefully succumbed to her illness, surrounded by her cherished family.

Doreen was born in Kenora to parents James and Catherine Fisher. They raised Mom in Keewatin, where her love of the great outdoors began with family outings and fishing trips on the Winnipeg River. She developed a deep connection to nature that lasted her entire life.

Later, she met her husband-to-be at Barney’s Ball Lake Lodge, where she worked as the children’s nanny and he, the resident fishing guide. Their love story began there, and they married on June 8, 1957, marking the start of 65 wonderful years together.

Left to mourn her untimely passing are daughter Anne, grandson Kyle Wastle (Darcia) and granddaughter Breanne Wastle (Colin); daughter Marilyn (Jim) Burkitt, grandson Cody Pawl (Patrick) and granddaughter Kelsey (Jake) Derkson; son Darren (Cathy) Toth, grandson Keith (Amanda) Sandquist and great-granddaughter McKenzie, granddaughter Tabitha Sandquist and great-grandson Gabriel Rivers.

She is survived by her brother Ted (Sharon) Fisher, nieces Pamela (Cory) Kinakin, Janelle Drygasuk, nephews Tyler (Elizabeth) Fisher, and Ron Fisher; baby sister Catherine (Keith) Alcock, nieces Tara (Brad) Wyder, Kim (Andrew) Rajtek, Jessica Alcock and nephew Robert (Marissa) Alcock; niece Maria (Ross) Quibell and nephew Jim Monette. And many great nieces and nephews who she adored and doted on.

Doreen was predeceased by her infant son Michael, her sister Patricia Maximchuk, her brother-in-law Dave Maximchuk and her niece Rhonda Monette.

Always missed and never forgotten, her sweet little dog, Angel.

Mom’s greatest passion was her family. She was the heart of every family gathering, beautifully capturing each special occasion through her photography. While we often joked about her obsession, we now treasure the thousands of memories she documented. Through her pictures, she preserved her life’s story for all of us to remember her by.

Another of Mom’s great loves was shopping. She was always seeking the best deals, sales, and finds. Every shopping trip was an adventure, and she relished the thrill of discovering a hidden gem tucked away on a clearance rack. She was a fashionista extraordinaire, a dazzling vision of perfection! Whether she was dressing up for a special occasion or simply running errands around town, Mom carried herself with an elegance that was truly her own.

Above all, her favourite pastime was curling. She actively participated in the women’s league and mixed bonspiels, accumulating numerous trophies and awards. Beyond the thrill of competition, curling provided her with a close-knit community of fellow enthusiasts who shared her passion. They celebrated each other's victories and supported one another through defeats, forming lasting friendships that extended beyond the rink.

She was president of the Beta Sigma Phi. Her leadership was marked by compassion, building friendships, and supporting women. She organized numerous events that brought the community together, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among members.

Following her retirement, Mom enjoyed travelling to destinations such as Hawaii, Cuba, and Arizona with her husband Albert. They also spent several winters in Florida soaking up the sun and eating fresh fruit from their orange tree every morning.

Her family was organizing a Hawaiian Island cruise to honour her 90th birthday in 2026. This cruise would be more than just a trip to her beloved destination; it would be a celebration of the love and legacy she had nurtured throughout her long and rewarding life.

Mom was a truly beautiful person, both inside and out. She had an incredible ability to connect with anyone she met. Her kindness, generosity, and readiness to lend a helping hand were hallmarks of her character. Whether hosting family dinners or organizing get-togethers, she was the heart and soul of every gathering. Her love for her family and friends was unwavering, and her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

You left us too soon Mom. It should not have happened this way.

A funeral mass will be held at Notre Dame du Portage in Kenora on January 10, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Lake of the Woods Cemetery. There will be a reception following in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to It’s A Dog’s Life or the Kenora Cat Shelter.

Blastomycosis is a killer. In Northwestern Ontario it is considered a hyperendemic. 20% of blastomycosis infections are fatal. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are necessary to reduce this alarming rate of death. If you have an upper respiratory infection that appears to be pneumonia, please insist on getting tested for blastomycosis. Don’t become a statistic like our Mom.